The North East’s offshore wind cluster, Energi Coast has expanded with the aim of playing a key role in delivering ambitions set out in the Offshore Wind Sector Deal.
Published earlier this year, the Offshore Wind Sector Deal sets out the government’s ambitions to develop the UK sector as part of its focus on low-carbon energy. Energi Coast, a group of 30 organisations, has voiced its intentions of playing a key role in delivering these objectives.
The group now consists of innovation and research organisations, developers, ports, supply chain companies, academic institutions and the two North East of England Local Enterprise Partnerships.
Business development expert NOT manages and administers the group, with Energi Coast now being one of eight offshore wind clusters around the UK. The body works to showcase the wind supply chain capabilities found in the North East and promote the region as a hub for servicing both the UK and International offshore wind markets.
“North East England has one of the UK’s most mature offshore wind clusters and Energi Coast is ideally placed to help promote the Offshore Wind Growth Partnership and support the delivery of the sector deal,” said chairman of Energi Coast and chief executive of Tekmar Group James Ritchie.
Energi Coast, which was established in 2001, has matured to deliver the majority of what is required for an offshore wind farm, this includes, the design, construction, installation, operations and maintenance phase.
Deputy chairwomen Joanne Leng said: “North East England has been at the forefront of the offshore wind sector since its inception and we are very proud that Energi Coast will have a key role to play in the next chapters of the industry’s exciting future.”